The National Judicial Council, NJC, has suspended three judges for one year without pay over misconduct and sanctioned eight others.
The decision was taken at the Council’s 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Those suspended are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court. They were also barred from elevation for three years.
The Council found that Justice Kabir ordered the arrest and detention of a litigant for 58 days for alleged disobedience to a court order without initiating contempt proceedings or serving Forms 48 and 49, violating the litigant’s right to fair hearing.
Grand Kadi Salihu was found to have exceeded his authority by setting up a committee to review a judgment delivered by the FCT Upper Area Court and assigning the case to another judge who took fresh evidence and delivered a new judgment — an action the NJC said amounted to an appeal against a valid judgment.
Justice Biambo was sanctioned for ordering the arrest of litigants and fining them N300,000 each in a civil matter without proper contempt proceedings.
The NJC also issued warnings and cautions to other judges:
– Justice Kayode Agunloye (FCT High Court) was cautioned for granting a fresh ex parte Garnishee Order Nisi in a First Bank case after an earlier application was withdrawn, while a stay of execution was pending.
– Justice Bello Kawu was warned for granting interim bail to former AGF Abubakar Malami despite an existing remand order by another judge.
– Justices Danjuma Oyigbenu and Isa Ebini Kana were warned for delivering judgment outside the constitutional 90-day period.
– Justice Mohammed Zubairu (FCT High Court), Justice C. A. Ogbuagor (Enugu), and Justice Chibuike Azuama (Imo) were cautioned and placed on Watch List for continuing proceedings despite appeals, and for granting ex parte order freezing accounts of Puma Energy which was not a party to the suit.
The Council considered 35 petitions, dismissing 24 for lack of merit, recommending four for further investigation, and putting one in abeyance as it is sub judice. It also directed that investigation into a petition against Justice G. N. Ugbala of Ebonyi State High Court should continue despite withdrawal by the petitioner.
In addition, the NJC recommended 28 candidates for appointment as judges across Kano, Ebonyi, Edo, Adamawa and Ogun States, including a Grand Kadi for Plateau Sharia Court of Appeal, a Kadi for Adamawa Sharia Court of Appeal and two judges for Adamawa Customary Court of Appeal.
It directed the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to include Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ijeoma Agugua, in the shortlist for substantive Chief Judge.
The Council approved retirement of six judicial officers, including two Supreme Court Justices, and mourned nine judicial officers who died between May and September 2026.
